The expansion draft for the construction of the Charlotte Bobcats, recognized at the time as the 30th NBA franchise, was held on June 22, 2004. The Bobcats selected 19 players from other teams' unprotected players lists and constructed their squad for what was regarded at the time as their inaugural season.
This was the second time an expansion draft was held for a Charlotte NBA franchise. The first time was the 1988 NBA expansion draft held for the , who relocated to New Orleans after the , becoming the New Orleans Hornets. The Bobcats would go on to acquire the history and name of the original Charlotte Hornets after the New Orleans Hornets renamed themselves the New Orleans Pelicans prior to the start of the , with the Pelicans retaining the history of the New Orleans Hornets.